Els could net you some ‘Big Easy’ money

BOOKMAKERS believe Tiger Woods will lift the famous Claret Jug at Royal Lytham and St Annes on Sunday, BetVictor installing the 36-year-old as the 13/2 favourite.

While many of the world’s leading golfers were putting the finishes touches to their Open Championship preparations at Castle Stuart in the Scottish Open, Woods, as usual, preferred to practise quietly elsewhere.

Hot on Woods’ heels in the bookmakers’ stakes are Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy, both available at 16/1 via bet365 and Stan James respectively. Westwood has been threatening to land his maiden major but McIlroy has missed four cuts in his last six outings.

The consistent Luke Donald, at 18/1 with BetVictor, has rarely looked at his best in this event but 2007 and 2008 winner Padraig Harrington is in decent form at 20/1 (BetVictor).

Graeme McDowell won’t be without support at 33/1 via bet365, Phil Mickelson is a 40/1 shot at Skybet and last year’s runner-up Dustin Johnson (40/1, bet365) can also lead an American charge, while Stan James’ 40/1 chance Ian Poulter shouldn’t be discounted.

The value however, lies with Ernie Els at 40/1 (Stan James). Returning to form after a torrid 2011, the ‘Big Easy’ has a tremendous Open record and has finished second and third in Opens at Royal Lytham.